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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Vacation Blessings

“Blessed are all who
fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is
the man blessed who fears the Lord.” (Psalm 128:1-4)

The adage “God is watching over you” is truly an
understatement.

This past week my husband, son, and I enjoyed a vacation, a
college experience, and a celebration of my son’s early acceptance into Indiana
University of Pennsylvania (IUP).

My son (a soon-to-be high school senior) enjoyed a weeklong
stay at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., where he attended a business
leadership conference. He learned about all aspects of business and how a
company works in today’s economy. He roomed with a high school buddy of his in
a dorm, met new friends, and learned firsthand what it would be like to live away
from home at college. Just this morning my son said, “I can’t wait to go to
college. I’m so excited!”

While he was away, my husband and I enjoyed our own getaway.
We drove to Virginia, where we soaked in the sun on the beach and at the pool,
and wined and dined each evening at Catch31, one of the most popular fine-dining
restaurants along the Virginia Beach shoreline. The live entertainment wasn’t
so great this year as it was two years ago so we didn’t hang around to listen
to the bands.

I took loads of pictures of our road trip to and from Virginia,
while at the beach and the pool. I even took some video. I wish we could’ve
stayed in Virginia longer than just four days, but we had to go home to prepare
for our trip to Indiana. We took a different route to IUP this time, which was
shorter and more direct. We attended what’s called Early Decision Day, where
you take a tour of the school and learn that day whether or not you’re child
has been accepted. After the 90-minute tour and a complimentary lunch, we
picked up a letter at the admissions office. We were all thrilled to learn he
was accepted! The school is absolutely beautiful, everything from the campus
grounds and office buildings to the library, fitness center, and dorm rooms. It
all makes me wish I were young again so I could attend this school and get my
college education. But the Lord quickly reminded me that I enjoyed my
opportunity to go away to college years ago and that this is my son’s turn. And
what a blessing it is.

Our vacation was hard-won. I prayed earnestly for it in
light of the fact this is the busiest
time of the year as editor of my company’s nutrition magazine. Due to the
workload, I didn’t think I’d get the chance to take a vacation this summer. But
God answered my prayers by providing me with extra help to make my vacation
possible. And God gave me the wisdom to prioritize my work to get it all done. I
owe it all to Him who sits high and lifted up, to the one who sits on the
throne. Without Him, none of this would’ve been possible.

I encourage everyone who might be in a tight situation, a
seemingly impossible circumstance to find promises in scripture that relate to
what you’re going through, claim them as yours, and pray through them first
before taking action. That way, you give God the chance to go before you and
prepare the hearts and minds of those with whom you need to communicate. The
Lord worked in a mighty way for my family and me, and I’ll be forever grateful.
Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness and unfailing love. Amen!

7 comments:

Last week I thought I needed a get-a-way! My daily time with God had been interrupted over and over, and it showed in my attitude. I was frustrated to the max with some situations and knocked a little decoration off the wall as I was changing the sheets on our bed. When I picked it up to replace it, I felt God nearly shouted the words at me... "Be still and know that I am God!" I didn't realize till then that I was trying to fix some of my situations instead of letting God be God and handle them. I'm happy for your being able to wait on God about your son's college - Gives more peace, doesn't it?

Judy, I am glad God blessed you with some priceless time with your husband and son, in the midst of your demanding work. Congrats on your son's acceptance. With mom and dad solidly behind and alongside him, I am sure he will be exceptional in college life. Blessings.

Judy, this is a wonderful story and I especially love what you said at the end about finding and claiming the Word for our situations. You lifted me up as I am in one of those seasons right now, standing on His word for breakthrough and double portion restoration. Glad you were able to get away for your vacation and that your son is so excited. Thanks again for leaving me your link! I will be back to read more!

About Me

I'm a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many. I'm a magazine editor, writer and book author of health and fitness and medical topics. I'm also an online Christian devotional and feature writer, and editor. I write devotionals and news articles for christiandevotions.us and everydaychristian.com, and have been published in For Better, For Worse: Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, and Anointed Magazine. I enjoy leading bible studies, photography, crockpot cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends.